Keeping you safe

Fire safety

Your safety is our top priority and we are committed to doing everything we can to protect you from the risk of fire.

 

Visit our dedicated fire safety page for important information about how to protect yourself and your home.

Gas safety

It is important that the gas appliances in your home are kept in good working order and that they are tested to make sure they are safe.

 

Faulty appliances can be very dangerous for you and the people in your home. They can also make your gas appliances less efficient which can increase your energy bills.

To keep you safe we conduct annual safety checks on any gas appliances in your home.

 

It is our legal responsibility to complete these tests and it is a term of your tenancy agreement that you allow us to complete them.

 

We always let you know in advance when we need to visit to complete your gas safety check. During the check, which will take no more than an hour, a qualified gas engineer will:

  • Do a thorough test of any gas appliances – making sure they are secure and in good working order
  • Make sure any chimneys and flues are working as they should be
  • Inspect and test gas pipework to make sure it is safe

We will write to you when your appliance is due for inspection to let you know of the date we will attend to complete the inspection. It is important that you allow us access to your property to complete this, or let us know an alternative date which is more convenient for you.

The most important thing is that you allow us into your home to complete this check.

 

We are legally required to complete the check and it is a term of your tenancy that you let us in to complete it.

 

We will write to you in advance to let you know when we plan to attend. If you can’t make the appointment, please
let us know and we will rearrange it for you.

If you repeatedly fail to give us access to your home, we will need to seek a court order to allow us to force entry to
your home. We will claim back the cost of this from you.

Electrical safety

It is vital that your electrical supply is kept in good working order and that it is tested to make sure it is safe.

 

A faulty electrical supply or appliances can be very dangerous for you and the people in your home.

We complete a check every five years on the electrical supply in your home.

 

It is a requirement that we do this and that the test is completed by a qualified professional.

 

We are not responsible for any electrical appliances in your home and keeping them safe is your responsibility.

 

We always let you know in advance when we need to visit to complete your electrical safety check.

 

During the check a qualified electrician will:

  • Complete a full visual inspection of your electrical system and associated equipment such as fuse boxes
  • Complete a series of tests at various points around your home
  • Replace, or arrange to replace, any faulty equipment they find during the check.

The most important thing is that you allow us into your home to complete this check.

 

We are legally required to complete the check and it is a term of your tenancy that you let us in to complete it.

 

We will write to you in advance to let you know when we plan to attend. If you can’t make the appointment, please let us know and we will rearrange it for you.

If you repeatedly fail to give us access to your home, we will need to seek a court order to allow us to force entry to your home. We will claim back the cost of this from you.

Water safety

Sitting or stagnant water can be a breeding ground for deadly bacteria such as legionella.

 

Breathing in legionella can cause Legionnaires’ disease – an illness like pneumonia which can be fatal.

 

It is important you understand the risks and what you can do to reduce them.

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks:

  • run taps in your home that are not used regularly at least once a week
  • flush shower heads out on a regular basis
  • if you leave your home empty for longer than a week flush and clean all taps and showers as soon as you return – turn the water on slowly
  • to avoid any splashing and leave it running for a few minutes
  • bacteria can form in limescale too, so avoid it forming on taps or shower heads by cleaning them regularly.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in rock. It was widely used in construction until it was discovered to be unsafe.

 

Asbestos is present in many buildings that were built on or before 2000 and if it is left alone it poses no risk. However, if it becomes damaged or disturbed and the fibres are inhaled, they can get stuck in the lungs and potentially cause serious disease and lung cancer.

We manage asbestos risk carefully. If we are doing work in a home and believe there may be asbestos in it, we bring in specialist contractors to risk assess this and safely remove any asbestos.

 

We manage a register of buildings where we know we have asbestos. We will not remove this in the short-term because most asbestos poses no risk to health because it is in good condition.

The most important thing to remember is if you are in any doubt whether work you are doing may disrupt asbestos, contact us first so that we can advise you.

 

You should also:

  • make sure anything you think may contain asbestos stays in good condition
  • contact us straight away if any materials you think may contain asbestos have been damaged or disturbed
  • contact us if asbestos cement-based products (such as guttering or shed roofs) become damaged, badly weathered or waste away
  • contact us before you carry out any significant DIY work or home improvement
  • never work on, damage or remove materials containing asbestos
  • never sand down, drill or scrape off textured coatings like Artex on ceilings or walls
  • never drill, cut or sand materials you think may contain asbestos
  • never break off pieces or break up large pieces of materials that could contain asbestos
  • never jet wash or clean asbestos cement products
  • never remove old floor tiles or lino.

Lifts and lifting equipment

Lifts and lifting equipment play an important role in keeping our customers safe. If you live in a building with a lift or you have lifting equipment, such as a stairlift or hoist, in your home it is important you know how we maintain these and what you need to do.

We carry out regular checks to make sure lifts and lifting equipment are in good working order. We also have a responsibility to check any equipment in your home.

If you have a stairlift, hoist or any lifting equipment in your home it is important that you allow us into your home to complete this check.

 

We are legally required to complete the check and it is a term of your tenancy that you let us in to complete it.

 

We will write to you in advance to let you know when we plan to attend. If you can’t make the appointment, please let us know and we will rearrange it for you.

 

If you repeatedly fail to give us access to your home, we will need to seek a court order to allow us to force entry to your home. We will claim back the cost of this from you.

If you live in a building with a lift or lifting equipment and you notice it isn’t working, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can put this right.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in rock. It was widely used in construction until it was discovered to be unsafe.

 

Asbestos is present in many buildings that were built on or before 2000 and if it is left alone it poses no risk. However, if it becomes damaged or disturbed and the fibres are inhaled they can get stuck in the lungs and potentially cause serious disease and lung cancer.

 

You can find a list of places where asbestos can often be found in the home on the Health and Safety Executive website here.

 

Read our Asbestos Management Policy here.

It is extremely important that if you believe some asbestos may have been disturbed or damaged that you contact us straight away.

Do:

  • Make sure anything you think may contain asbestos stays in good condition
  • Contact us straight away if any materials you think may contain asbestos have been damaged or disturbed
  • Contact us if asbestos cement-based products (such as guttering or shed roofs) become damaged, badly weathered or waste away
  • Contact us before you carry out any significant DIY work or home improvement

 

Don’t:

  • Work on, damage or remove materials containing asbestos
  • Sand down, drill or scrape off Artex ceilings or walls
  • Drill, cut or sand materials you think may contain asbestos
  • Break off pieces or break up large pieces of materials that could contain asbestos
  • Jet wash or clean asbestos cement products
  • Remove old floor tiles or lino

If in doubt, leave it be and contact us!

 

Asbestos is only harmful if it is disturbed. If you have any doubt before you start work contact us.

Common questions

Customer services